World/nation briefs

FDA matches fungus in steroids to patients The fungus found in tainted steroid shots matches the one behind the national meningitis outbreak that has killed 20 people, federal health officials said. The match confirms the link between the outbreak and the maker of the steroids, New England Compounding Center of Framingham, Mass. The fungus Exserohilum rostratum was confirmed in one steroid batch made in August, said the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tests were continuing on the other two lots. As many as 14,000 people got shots from the three lots, which has led to more than 250 fungal meningitis cases, killing 20 people.

Judge: Cheerleaders can use Bible verses A judge ruled that cheerleaders at an East Texas high school can display banners emblazoned with Bible verses at football games, saying the school district's ban on the practice appears to violate the students' free speech rights. District Judge Steve Thomas granted an injunction requested by the Kountze High School cheerleaders allowing them to continue displaying religious-themed banners pending the outcome of a lawsuit, which is set to go to trial next June 24.

Twitter blocks access to neo-Nazi account Twitter has blocked users in Germany from access to the account of a neo-Nazi group that is banned by the government, renewing concerns about the future of free speech on the site. The decision to block access to the group's account here was the first time that Twitter acted on a policy known as "country withheld content," announced in January, which the company says is meant to balance freedom of expression with compliance with local laws. In Germany, use of Nazi symbols and slogans can be criminally prosecuted.

First abortion clinic opens amid protests The first abortion clinic on Ireland opened in Belfast, unleashing protests and uniting Catholic and Protestant politicians in calls to investigate the facility. The clinic, run by a British family planning charity, will be permitted to provide abortions only in exceptional circumstances to women less than nine weeks pregnant. But the opening caught Northern Ireland's socially conservative politicians off guard.

Police detain suspect's family in attack on girl Pakistani security forces have detained the family of a man accused of attacking Malala Yousafzai, the schoolgirl who became an icon of resistance against Taliban oppression and who is being treated at a British hospital, neighbors said. Authorities said they were still searching for the suspect, identified as a member of the Pakistani Taliban named Attaullah. A Pakistani official said that Malala was improving and has been moving her limbs.

NEWS SERVICES